TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Mobility

Practical Hacks From the Accessibility Playbook

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Seven years in the making, the Travelability Accessibility Playbook, created in partnership with Destinations International, is an end-to-end toolkit to equip destination organizations on their accessibility journey, enabling them to better welcome and accommodate people with disabilities within their destination. 

MOBILITY DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S:

• Ask Before Offering Assistance: Always ask if the person needs help before providing assistance. Respect their autonomy and allow them to accept or decline assistance.

• Be Patient and Understanding: Understand that tasks may take longer for someone with mobility issues. Be patient and avoid rushing or pressuring them.

• Respect Personal Space: Respect the person’s personal space and avoid touching mobility aids or equipment without permission.

• Use Inclusive Language: Use respectful and inclusive language when referring to the person and their condition. Avoid using derogatory terms or making assumptions about their abilities.

• Offer Assistance Appropriately: If assistance is requested or needed, offer it respectfully and sensitively. Ask how you can help and follow their instructions. 

• Ensure Accessibility: Make sure that the environment is accessible to individuals with mobility issues. This includes providing ramps, elevators, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.

• Be Mindful of Physical Barriers: Be aware of physical barriers that may hinder mobility, such as stairs, uneven surfaces, or narrow doorways. Offer alternative routes or assistance as needed.

• Listen and Communicate: Listen attentively to the person and communicate clearly. If they have difficulty speaking or understanding, be patient and use alternative methods of communication if necessary.

DON’TS:

• Assume Help is Needed: Don’t assume that a person with mobility issues needs help or cannot perform tasks independently. Always ask before offering assistance.

• Use Patronizing Language: Avoid using patronizing language or speaking down to the person. Treat them with respect and dignity, just as you would any other individual.

• Touch Without Permission: Do not touch the person or their mobility aids without permission. Respect their personal space and boundaries at all times.

• Make Assumptions: Avoid making assumptions about the person’s abilities or limitations based on their mobility issues. Treat each individual as unique and capable.

• Ignore Their Preferences: Don’t ignore the person’s preferences or instructions regarding assistance. Always respect their wishes and preferences, even if they decline help.

• Overwhelm with Assistance: Avoid overwhelming the person with unnecessary assistance or taking over tasks without their consent. Allow them to maintain their independence and dignity.

• Neglect Accessibility: Do not neglect accessibility considerations in the environment or facilities. Ensure that accommodations are in place to facilitate the person’s mobility and access.

Meet the 2025 INNOVATEAble Finalists: 9 Breakthrough Travel Accessibility Solutions Pitching at ADA 35

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The world’s only pitch event showcasing innovations, technologies and amenities that make travel easier for people with disabilities.

Dive into 7th Annual InnovateAble 2025, The Shark Tank for Accessible Travel Innovations technologies and amenities to Celebrate ADA 35

Get ready for an inspiring virtual showcase like no other! On July 25, 2024, we’re celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a groundbreaking event that’s all about empowering travel for those with disabilities.

I’m thrilled to announce InnovateAble, a unique pitch fest that’s reminiscent of Shark Tank, but with a twist. It’s dedicated to showcasing assistive technology, services and innovations that promise to revolutionize travel for people with disabilities and seniors.”

Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility.

Event Details:

  • Date: July 25, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM Pacific Time on Zoom
  • Format: Quick-fire 3-minute pitches with a 7-minute Q&A
  • Location: Zoom – Open to registered attendees of the 2025 TravelAbility Summit.
Register Today
Learn More

This event is not just a competition: it’s a beacon of innovation, organized by the forward-thinkers at TravelAbility. The TravelAbility team spent hours researching over 45 companies/products and after an exhaustive process selected 9 finalists to present to our panel of judges. We’re proud to share that past participants have raised a staggering $563.4 million in funding, proving that these innovations are not just visionary but also viable.

2025 Line-Up Includes:

Mobility

Rio Mobility designs lightweight manual and power attachments that can effortlessly convert most standard wheelchairs into power wheelchairs capable opening off-road as well as on-road experiences.

ADAPTS is a portable transfer sling designed for safe, manual wheelchair transfers in inaccessible places such as airplanes, hotels, or stairwells.

BoardSafe Docks is the leading designer and manufacturer of premium aluminum floating docks and adaptive launch systems.

Effortless Lifts, an innovative boat mobility system specifically designed to facilitate access to water-based activities for individuals with mobility impairments.

Deafness/Hard of Hearing

Koda is a powerful, device-agnostic live captioning platform that uses AI and data to boost accessibility, engagement, and retention at events—no downloads required.

Blind and Low Vision

Tourch2See provides tablets allowing blind and visually impaired community to attend live sporting game.

RightHear is an audible wayfinding system that helps enhance accessibility, by enabling visitors to navigate indoor and outdoor spaces more independently.

Neurodiversity

Scan Me Home is a simple ID system using QR codes—on an app or iron-on patch—to help quickly reunite lost loved ones who may have eloped with their families.

Lotus is a wearable ring that lets people with limited mobility control home devices by simply pointing—no apps, rewiring, or Wi-Fi required, and it’s travel-friendly too.

Fun in Action?  This Party Bus Sucks…You In!

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A man stands between two buses wearing a jumping Joey tshirt in American flag colors

Historically, the party bus has been elitist, if not downright ableist. Jumping Joey’s is changing that. Jumping Joey’s Journey, a local transportation service, has expanded its offerings with the recent acquisition of a 14-passenger, handicap-accessible minibus. From bar crawls and weddings to church events, family trips, and school field trips, Jumping Joey’s Journey delivers more than just a ride – they create an electrifying experience. They call themselves the ultimate party experience on wheels, and now that party will be open to all.

Read the Full Article

It may be time to reach out to your local transportation services to see how you can up your party game.

Hotel Spotlight: Radisson Blu, Bloomington, Minnesota

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Two children site in a hotel room in blue armchairs. A wheelchair is next to them.

By Jennifer Allen

Typically, our son is a part time wheelchair user and we’re able to cheat a bit when it comes to room accessibility. Since I’ve seen how often we need those cheats in hotels, I was a little bit nervous for our first stay as a full time wheelchair user.

Radisson Blu absolutely nailed it in accessibility, comfort, luxury, and convenience. The sliding bathroom door, roll under sink, double grab bars for the toilet and roll in shower made the bathroom a breeze. The bathroom, bedroom, and living spaces in the suite were spacious and easy to navigate. The convenience of the hotel, with FireLake Grill House downstairs and Mall of America across the hall, was unbeatable. If we weren’t so excited to get out in nature with the track chair, we never would’ve had to leave the building. The staff were friendly and helpful and even the revolving entrance door had accessibility options. 

It was a completely seamless hotel stay.

What Would You Do: The Accessible Shower Isn’t Usable—Now What?

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You answer the phone at the front desk of the hotel to learn that a guest with a mobility disability is unable to use the shower. The controls are on the opposite end of the shower from the built-in shower bench, and they can’t reach them. What do you do?

Your Responses:

John Sage | Sage Traveling

Unfortunately, the disabled guest already felt their disability in a way they don’t experience at home, will possibly be posting negative reviews, and will possibly avoid that hotel chain in the future. This guest is almost certainly not the first person to experience this accessibility barrier so there’s no telling how much revenue has already been lost. 

Kitty Sharman | TravelAbility

Assuming I were a line-level front desk attendant, I would start by thanking them for the information and apologizing for the inconvenience. I would find out if all of the accessible rooms have the same issue. If a room without that issue is available, I would move them to that room if they wish. If they wanted to stay in their current room, I would provide them with a movable shower chair. I would then contact management to alert them of the issue.

Jessica Haga | Disability Mom

Maybe they could send someone up to turn the shower on, then the person could bathe and call back down when they’re finished to have someone come turn it off.

Jennifer Allen | Disability Mom

Imagine checking into a hotel to find your room doesn’t have a shower. It’s absurd to think about, but a shower that can’t be used is as useful as none at all. This is more than an inconvenience: it’s an indignity. Adults don’t want to ask strangers for help showering. 

First, have some empathy. Even if it may not be your fault personally that the shower is inaccessible, the person calling you is in an extremely uncomfortable situation and is just trying to figure out how to bathe on vacation. 

Second, work for a solution. This isn’t a, “I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll add points to your hotel loyalty account” situation. The guest needs to bathe. Find a different room. Buy a shower chair. Find a different hotel. 

Third, make it up to them. Props to you that you fixed the situation and now your guest can shower, but they’ve moved rooms or missed time from their itinerary to help sort things out. They’re likely frustrated and good hospitality involves making them feel welcome.

IG User

As a wheelchair user, the solution I would propose to the hotel staff is for a portable shower chair to be brought that can go closer to the shower controls. Many hotels have them available, you just have to ask the right people!

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